Monday 14 April 2014

Ticket to ride

 
 
We had the most marvelous time at the weekend in Liverpool.
 


Here I am on the ferry 'cross the Mersey.
 


And this is me in the same spot in 1987.

I was 23, and wearing my boyfriend-at-the-time's cardigan and Big Hair!

 

The Pier Head buildings and skyline are fabulous.
 
We spent the weekend in the excellent company of my sister Sabena and her partner Gary.
 


 

The Royal Liver Building, and a Liver Bird relief in the Museum of Liverpool.
 




The Three Graces; the Liver Building, the Cunard Building, and the Port of Liverpool Building, part of Liverpool's World Heritage Site
 
 
There are new buildings to rival the splendour of the old...


and the docks are a great place to wander.
 






Statue of Billy Fury at the Albert Dock.
 


One of the Superlambananas dotted around the city.
 
 
So apart from football, what else springs to mind when you think of Liverpool?
 



 
We braved the queue and visited The Beatles Story.
 
 




The kids know a surprising number of Beatles' songs and we really enjoyed the exhibition.




 Since we were staying in Chinatown, it seemed only appropriate to go for a Chinese meal.



And of course there was plenty of face-pulling and posing.


We were working on our cool album cover shots...



1960-70s Hong Kong-made maxi dress - flea market
Cardigan, denim jacket and bangles - charity shopped
Pendant - car boot


I loved the Walker Art Gallery.


Another stunning building...





...and some stunning art too.



Puck in the Sculpture Gallery.




Echo and Narcissus by John William Waterhouse.




A collection of 1970s Jean Varon dresses designed by John Bates.



Super Star Fucker by Peter Davies.



 After lunch in the brilliant Moose Coffee cafe...




 it was time to say goodbye and head for home, tired but very happy.

(PS. Next time, I'm going vintage shopping; hopefully Sandra will come with me!)

xxxxx

54 comments:

Marjorie said...

Lovely trip. I can see you modeling that dress. Thanks.

Patti said...

I only passed quickly through Liverpool, 25 years ago. Looks like I need to go and spend a little time! You all look fantastic and happy. xox.

Natalia Lialina said...

It sounds like you had a wonderful trip! So happy to see your family - cool pictures of kids and all of you, guys! It's also such a special treat to see your old photo - it's like getting to know you in a more intimate way.

The dress in the museum would look fantastic on you! It has only now occurred to me that with your amazing collection of vintage dresses you too can make a part of a museum exhibit one day! You look bright, and fun, and beautiful, as always!

So many great pictures here. I don't know anything about football , so the only connection with Liverpool in my mind is Beatles. Oh no - our lovely Sandra as well! So glad to be able to see the city with your eyes. I hope you'll make it to vintage shops with Sandra soon! :)

Love and hugs! I missed you! :)

Goody said...

Somehow I've never managed to make it to Liverpool (not enough time, out of the way, etc.) but it looks like great fun.

Your family must be made of energy to do all that at the weekend. I'd manage maybe a tenth of what you guys did (and I assume there's more you didn't post).

I now have that song stuck in my head.

Angels have Red Hair said...

Looks like a great catch up and I do love the cool album cover posing.
I want to come shopping with Sandra and you too.
xx

Shawna McComber said...

I really enjoy living vicariously through your weekend trips! You take such fantastic photos and go to great places all while looking vivacious in vintage. The picture of you and Sandra together really shows how much you look alike! I loved the picture of you in 1987. What a blast from the past, as they say. You did achieve nice big hair. I never did.
xo

Fran said...

Thanks for sharing such a great tour and fun day. Your photos are wonderful. I love the Superlambanana

Melanie said...

Wow, the historic architecture. And the personal history with you back in the day - love the big hair and the high-waisted pants. The photos of the kids leaning on the Beatles is brilliant and the last photo is a great summary of the fun you seemed to have. I gasped to see that the art gallery is free. Our local civic one is $20 for an adult, $15 for students - an outrage.

Krista said...

This is one of my favorite dresses on you, I saw it for reals! What a trip seeing the side by side of you twenty years later I think you are even prettier!

What a blast you guys had, I wish I went but these pictures take me along. The Beatles exhibit seems like a highlight, love the picture of the kids leaning hard:). The buildings are also art all in their own. You packed in so much cool stuff, shopping will get done next time:)
Lotsoflove
Xxxxxooo

Val said...

Liverpool is such a fascinating city, and I just love the Walker! Looks like a fantastic day out.

Connie said...

What a fun trip! Thank you so much for bringing us along. I had a fabulous time. Love the photo of the kids with John Lennon. Isn't it crazy how kids these days still love The Beatles? I think it's great. That denim jacket is such a good thing. I can just see it draped over the shoulders of that Jean Varon dress. Too bad it's in a museum...

Vintage Bird Girl said...

What gorgeous photos. Love your outfit, & that moose cafe looks like the perfect place for a coffee. Xx

CityScape Skybaby said...

Ah lovely Liverpool, and you made it over to my side of the water too, where us woollybacks stay. Love the pic of you in the 80s, and the kids lounging like Lennon, love all the pictures in fact, you've made me feel a bit homesick Curtise, but I'll be down there in two weeks myself, so you've also made me feel even more excited for going. xx

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

Hello Curtise,

It seems a thousand years ago since we were last in Liverpool. It was for a Garden Festival which at the time were held annually in various cities across Britain in order to regenerate areas that had fallen into disuse.

Liverpool has certainly come a long way since that time. It has always had its wonderful heritage of impressive public buildings but it has been very much smartened up in recent years. Your photographs really do make us think that it is long past time for a revisit.

And, what a fun and varied programme of events you all enjoyed. Something for everyone. Museums these days are so much better than they ever used to be and it is great that there is so much to capture the imagination of young people to entice them to visit. We too should love to see the Walker Museum.

And, darling Curtise, how the years have been kind to you. Indeed you look younger now than in 1987......amazing. So much more poised and confident and your choice of dress and denim jacket were perfect for the occasion. Just the right combination of rock and roll!

Anonymous said...

I would hate to live on the top floor of that contemporary building on the right - talk about a small apartment. :)

What amazing photos, Curtise. You sure packed a lot into one weekend. So much to do and see! I never got a chance to pop over when I was living in St Anne's, though you could see the city across the water on a clear day. It's on my list for when we go back. Along with Manchester vintage shops!

Fab pic of you in the 80s. I had the hair too (didn't we all?). Xox

The Small Fabric Of My Life said...

Glad you enjoyed my adopted home city. I would love to join you shopping when you come.
Jane x

The Small Fabric Of My Life said...

Glad you enjoyed my adopted home city. I would love to join you shopping when you come.
Jane x

Ivy Black said...

Wonderful! Look at Baby You...what was it with wearing the boyfriend's cardis back then. Actually, I wore my granddads cos he had better taste!

Love the pictures and I love Liverpool. I haven't been up in ages, but every now and then I mention a weekend away there because it's great there. Also love that all your family fit so much in and have such a riot. Top posing too.
xxxxxx

Unknown said...

Oh- i love the pics of you and Liverpool! Wanna go there.....
xxx

Jayne H said...

I've never made it up to Liverpool so it was nice to see the photos of your trip. Love the album cover photos.

at my dressingtable said...

Liverpool looks great! and the dress is gorgeous and what would we do without the old denim jacket I wear mine all the time!.
Best wishes Curtise xxxxx.

Sue said...

Thank you for taking me on another tour round your part of the world. I totally love traveling with other bloggers via their blog. SO BIG THANKS!! Looked like a shit load of good fun was had. Your kids are cute, love the face pulling and posing. Not enough of this stuff happens.

Peaches McGinty said...

I'm chuffed you all had a brilliant time! and there's a new exhibition at the Walker! must go and see it pronto! I love all of your album poses, very very cool - your maxi is gorgeous, the colours and pattern are delicious! and It's a vintage shopping date! hell yeah, let's do it! x x x

bahnwärterin said...

sounds like a great trip and liverpool like a place to visit!
you look very chic in that blue/orangy-red maxi dress with the coral lippy - the ferry picture is especially gorgeous!
love the pattern mix on your littlest, flowers and tartan in bright colors are fun.
thank you for your lovely comment on my last post :-)
xxxx

kobieta niewidzialna said...

Very nice photos and your dress is beautiful.Greetings :)

Fiona said...

Thanks for the tour of Liverpool Curtise, somewhere I've never been. Like many others I think of the Beatles when it's mentioned and Beryl and Sandra, but there is sooo much more to that wonderful city. What fabulous architecture and museums, looks like you had great fun there. xxxxxx

Shortbread and Ginger said...

I love Liverpool, so it was great to see your photos.
i

Suzanne said...

You squeezed a whole lot into your visit.

Now I finally know what Frankie Goes To Hollywood was singing about in, "Ferry Cross The Mersey"

Thank you for that.

Love the maxi with the jean jacket : )

bisous
Suzanne

The Style Crone said...

Liverpool comes alive in this post. With you as the tour guide, I am spellbound. How happy you look in your family photos. The vintage maxi with your denim jacket inspire me. How fortunate I am to have you in my 'blog life.'

thorne garnet said...

The only thing that comes to mind when I hear "Liverpool" is The Beatles. What the heck is a liver bird?

OMG, those high waist jeans! I probably had a pair too. And the big hair

Sheila said...

Oh, that looks so fun! I remember reading Helen Forrester's autobiographical series of books based in Liverpool starting in the '40s - I read them when I was a kid. They made a huge impression on me.

Love your maxi!

Mrs Bertimus said...

Looks fabulous!
I'm sure I had exactly the same outfit in the eighties,,you look fab in both photos by the way!
X

Emma Kate at Paint and Style said...

How come you look younger now than when you were 23? That's no mean feat.
I had no idea those Jean Varon dresses were museum pieces. We had one in the local Oxfam for £25 and no one wanted it.
It looks like you all had an amazing weekend. Happy Easter hols to you! xxxx

Vix said...

You look bloody gorgeous in that first photo. What a bizarre coincidence that we both wore our When-Krista-Came-To-Stay frocks at the same time.
Liverpool looks gorgeous, so grand and well preserved. Not fussed about The Beatles normally but watching you lot lark about makes me a bit kinder towards them.
Echo and The Bunnymen and the Lambanana on the other hand, wouldn't say no to either!
We need a blogging adventure to the Pool. Tempted to do a vintage fair there next month to suss it out.
I think we had the same hairdresser in the 1980s!
Love you! xxxxxxxxxxx

Unknown said...

Gawd I love your Blog and just had to tell you! You have a wonderful style and sense of humour and I always look forward to your posts. Keep them coming!

mispapelicos said...

My dear Curtise, you looked nice them, but you look much better now. Just like the good wine.
You children are growing soooooooo fast, ahhhhhhhhhhhh
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Diane said...

I loved Liverpool when I was shown around by a blogger friend - I can't wait to go back. Its a fabulous place. You look stunning as ever chuck and ever so slightly Cilla Black!!

Becky said...

You look gorgeous in that maxi!!!!!! I would have loved to be on that trip!!

Flora Cruft said...

It looks like you had a fantastic family trip - love the pic of the kids leaning against John Lennon. And wonderful photos of you as usual, such a glamorous colourful dress you're wearing. As for the Jean Varon, it had me drooling!

Melancholy and Menace said...

What a fabulous outing, with an utterly gorgeous family.

You always look glamorous and don't appear to have aged at all since the 80s!

I LOVE the Puck sculpture!

I can't wait to read all about your charity shopping spree with the lovely Sandra xx

Unknown said...

Mecca. You were in Mecca, for this old child of the 60's! You look the same as you did in '87, just with a different haircut. Gorgeous creature!
What a lovely day you must have had. Brilliant photos ... just what I wanted to see today. Music, THE ferry (Gerry Marsden and all the Pacemakers were in the film ... I remember it!) museums, architecture, food, more food! Best photo ever of the kids with John. Sob.
I was born in the wrong part of the world at the right time. Oh, well. I had Buddy Holly, The Beachboys and could hanker after the UK bands from afar. Not quite the same is it?
Thanks, Curtise, so much. So good to see you, then and now!

Olga Rani said...

Never been to Liverpool, so I enjoyed all those sight-seeing photographs. No less enjoyable were the funny photos of the members of your family.

Pull Your Socks Up! said...

Thank you for the lovely trip to Liverpool, a city I've never been too but feel it's part of my music DNA. Of course, with The Phoenix peering over my shoulder at this very exciting post, I got a running commentary of every. single. pic. Heehee! (He's now having a rant down memory lane as I type this). The pic of your lot at the end is so wonderful, it needs to be framed - it's a very precious moment in time. It's lovely to see your hubby having a lark, he's a lucky man to have such a red hot wife!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxooxox

citizen rosebud said...

I've never been- but judging from your picks- I'd like to go. I dare say seeing your gorgeous young self, and comparing it to the present you- that you are blooming most vibrantly in the present. I can't help but think of you when I see long vivid printed maxis- you are the standout here!

Rachel said...

It looks like you had a really lovely time. I haven't been to Liverpool for a while and your photos have reminded me how much I would like to go again.Hope you are well xxx

freckleface said...

I've never been The Pool, but I really fancy it, especially now I've seen all your Fab Fourtoes! (Get it?) I didn't know they had a China town. Don't remember that from the Liver Birds. You look as marvellous as ever, but i think you might have some competition here from your fine clan of posers! I love the fact that Simon has got involved in your blog, he looks great fun Curtise. All these adventures you're going on are wonderful to see. You've inspired me, when we next go on a train, I'm taking sandwiches. Xxxxx

Forest City Fashionista said...

Liverpool looks like a great place to visit - cool mix of the old and the new! Your smile hasn't changed a bit ;)

Your album cover shots are full of attitude, especially your profile with the shades. Looks like you had loads of fun.

Jean at www.drossintogold.com said...

Hurray for gorgeous getaways with people you love!!! Thank you for bringing us along. I always love your posts that show architecture and scenery. I feel like I've taken a break. The children look wonderful. I miss those years a lot.

Your sister and her partner make a lovely couple, and YOU my dear look younger and more gorgeous than you did in 1987, even excusing the 80's fashion. :-) Your maxi is perfection, too. XXXXOOOO

Mother of Reinvention said...

Liverpool looks fantastic as does your maxi dress. Lovely colours. You don't look any different from your 80's pic, except the hair. Hope you all had as much fun as it looked. xx

Trees said...

What a great wee trip - I love all the photos from the Beatles Museum and you look fabulous in that maxi frock! I feel like I need a day trip now.

Caroline said...

Looks like you had a fab time.

Can I assume the 1987 look is a vintage style you won't be returning to? I still wear boyfriend cardigans though.

Helga said...

I had no idea Liverpool was so frigging amazing! Not sure what I thought, actually, but now I want to visit! Such gorgeous buildings, and it's so arty! What a frigging brilliant time you've had, and these pix are just splendid!
Love you in that maxi; did you want to smash and grab at the Jean Varon frock display?!
Loving you! XXXXXXXXXX

Señora Allnut said...

fabulous trip, and you look gorgeous, love your maxi!, colorful and delightfully printed!
And your 1987's Big Hair makes me remember my own!!, oh yes, I was all dressed up with my burned perm, my granpa's cardis and some Huge Earrings too!
Love your pics, Liverpool looks way more interesting than I thought!
besos

Penny-Rose said...

I really enjoyed this post as I have never been to Liverpool. I had no idea that the architecture is so dramatic and interesting. I love the photo of your family leaning against the statue of the leaning man.